Looking for a bike need some recommendations.

Hi everyone, I am new to this forum. Haven't ridden a bike for a long time now. I want to get a bike for street and some dirt roads. But I want something that is got smooth tires for the road. Any suggestions on a bike under 30# and about $300 ~ $400? I am in California, USA

3 to 4 hundred dollars can get you a used bike but nothing that I know of new. They are not hybrids but if you are looking for a sturdy commuter they make great bikes for that imo better than hybrids but I'm really anti-hybrid so ???

You can too find an old touring bike and convert that to cross simply by getting new CX tires

Yup cross tires. Typically knobby pattern and up to size 32 maybe bigger? They will be perfect for gravel paths, fields, simple trails, pavement. You just cant get too technical like rock gardens or rooted and washed out mountain trails. The reason I mensioned an old touring bike is because they will have cantilever breaks (center pull) and room in the fork and chainstays for tire clearence. The newer road racing breaks (side pull) typically do not.

Hi everyone, I am new to this forum. Haven't ridden a bike for a long time now. I want to get a bike for street and some dirt roads. But I want something that is got smooth tires for the road. Any suggestions on a bike under 30# and about $300 ~ $400? I am in California, USA

The second one does not have a price, so you may want to give them a buzz. Usually their stuff is fairly reasonable (ie less than 500) price wise.

Thanks guys. few more questions. How is the seating position of cyclocross compared to hybrid.
the handlebars are different? I mainly will ride it on saturdays or sunday mornings, I play soccer sunday afternoon. forgot to mention I am 5' 9", so what size frame should I look for?

Thanks guys. few more questions. How is the seating position of cyclocross compared to hybrid.
the handlebars are different? I mainly will ride it on saturdays or sunday mornings, I play soccer sunday afternoon. forgot to mention I am 5' 9", so what size frame should I look for?

Well, I'm looking at getting a cyclocross bike myself for the commute to school (heading back) and from what I can gather so far, it seems a good starting point for size is to measure your true inseam (crotch to floor w/shoes?) and figure out what frame size you would need. Then move one size smaller because of the additional height the CR bikes give. My tri bike is a 55 but I went and stood over a 55 Lemond propad yesterday and it was just too big. I'm 5'11" and I'm looking at a 53-54 frame. So at 5'9" I would guess at 52. But that is just a guess.

Hey BigBrooklynLou have any experience with NYCBikes? They look to be good candidates for me as well. School is costly and I'm looking for a commuter/trial bike.

Hey BigBrooklynLou have any experience with NYCBikes? They look to be good candidates for me as well. School is costly and I'm looking for a commuter/trial bike.

Not really. They've been mentioned a few times on the commuter folder, and they look like they make a clean bike. I'm planning on passing by their shop one day and I'll let the board know what I saw ...

Thanks guys. few more questions. How is the seating position of cyclocross compared to hybrid.
the handlebars are different? I mainly will ride it on saturdays or sunday mornings, I play soccer sunday afternoon. forgot to mention I am 5' 9", so what size frame should I look for?

Frame size depends on a lot more than just on the length of your inseam. Take the time to go to your local Trek dealer and have they measure you with their "sizing system." That will give you a starting point, but unfortunately a 54 CM bike from one manufacturer may differ from that of another. If you can straddle the bike and lift it about two inches off the ground without crushing your privates its probably about the right size. Good luck.

Not really. They've been mentioned a few times on the commuter folder, and they look like they make a clean bike. I'm planning on passing by their shop one day and I'll let the board know what I saw ...

I bought a bike from them last month. Dirt cheap prices, but the bikes weigh a ton, and built up with bottom rung parts (though to be fair, if you ask 'em for a high-end package, I'm sure they can accommodate). Told 'em to build it up as a cyclocross bike with mtb gearing for off-roading, but they messed up and put on road gears (53 x 48, rather than the 48 triple that mtbs usually get). Service isn't the best, with a heck of a wait if you get there after work. It's a pretty busy shop. I can't imagine the wait that someone in California would have to deal with. Also, don't trust the website - since they don't have all the parts listed for their various builds, you can get something you weren't expecting...